Old Hammondtown School was the place to be on May 1 when the League of Women Voters of Southcoast held its Candidates Night in anticipation of the May 21 Mattapoisett Town Election.

            Starting with a “meet and greet,” each candidate was given time to introduce themselves and point to accomplishments, goals and other relevant matters before moving on to offer timed responses to specific questions being asked for those in contested races.

            First up was the contested seat for a three-year term on the Select Board. The two candidates are incumbent Jodi Lynn Bauer and former principal assessor Kathleen Costello.

            In their opening statements, Bauer pointed to her many accomplishments in the community from her 35 years supporting and working for Boys Scouts to sitting on the Tree Committee, Community Preservation Act Committee and her strongly held belief in representing all community members.

            Bauer also noted her lifelong residency in Mattapoisett and her passion to serve as the “voice of the people.” Bauer said she has demonstrated leadership skills and understands the importance of developing future leaders. She further noted that although it is very difficult, keeping the town budget on track is necessary.

            Costello began stating that her family chose Mattapoisett to settle in and raise a family with her children attending local schools. Now some 30 years on and after a decades-long career working in the Assessor’s office she held, she has a clear view of the town’s finances.

            Costello commented on the need for new housing units, which would benefit all taxpayers and her spearheading of PILOT programs (for solar farms) that has earned revenue for the town. She also shared that she is the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers.

            Question 1 poised the following to the Select Board candidates: If elected … how would you address any conflict-of-interest issues that may arise in the course of performing your duties on behalf of the town?

            Costello responded, “Recuse yourself,” expanding on that core response but returning that main message at upon any situation posing complication or doubt.

            Bauer addressed the ethics Foo Par when she failed to recuse herself from salary discussion regarding her son Garrett Bauer’s position as the elected highway surveyor. She acknowledged her error and said she has “learned from it.” She also referenced occasions in which Select Board member Jordan Collyer has recused himself from matters related to the Fire Department, which he serves as a captain.

            Question 2: With the debt soon to come off the books for the Old Rochester Regional School District’s facilities, including Center and Old Hammmondtown schools, what do you envision as a priority for the town for capital expenditures pertaining to these buildings, as well as the library, and how would you propose funding them without overburdening the taxpayers of the town? (ORR had sought a $12,000,000 debt exclusion from the Tri-Towns that has been pulled from the May 13 town meetings after Rochester’s Select Board and Finance Committee recommended against supporting.)

            Bauer responded that large projects would require borrowing, while smaller projects such as renovations to the library building could be funded through free cash.

            Costello’s response included the need to evaluate projects of which there are many, such as town hall, and that she would work collaboratively with an eye towards sustainable construction.

            Question 3:  Our coastline and thus our community, is vulnerable because of rising sea levels and increased nitrogen pollution due to warmer temperatures. Do you believe we need to take action to address these issues as a coastal community and if so, what do you recommend?

            Costello pointed to the global problem faced by all people. She said that having worked with FEMA, she grasps the importance of working with government agencies while working on local solutions.

            Bauer’s questioned the state’s position that nitrogen in local harbors is the result of residential septic systems requiring expensive denitrification-technology upgrades and said she would first remove damaging fertilizers from the stormwater system.

            Question 4:  Road reconstruction on Main and Water streets is an important issue for our town. The February Tree Committee meeting was attended or watched by 200 residents. The 25% DOT design public hearing is delayed and project funding uncertain. Are you in favor of establishing a Road Reconstruction Committee as a means to bring consensus and understanding of the options available to the town?

            Given she sits on the Tree Committee, Bauer recused herself from answering the question. However, she encouraged people to attend the June 18 public presentation by MassDOT of the village street reconstruction project.

            Costello stated, “If the majority of the town wants it, my opinion doesn’t matter.”

            Closing remarks from Bauer pointed to her work with the Mattapoisett Select Board in hiring municipal employees, pursuing a community garden for all geared towards sustainability, the importance of budget management and her desire to continue in her leadership role for all the people as a “community servant.” If re-elected, Bauer said she would continue to perform with “passion and pride” for Mattapoisett.

            Costello said she believes in transparency, collaboration and would use her unique skill sets. She said she is a goal-oriented person, and as a former member of the town’s financial team would work towards informed decision-making.

            Other contested races find Mattapoisett School Committee member James Muse facing challengers Jack Lebrun and Kathleen McArdle-Leclair with two seats open after Tiffany Reedy did not seek re-election.

            LeBrun stated reasons why he should be selected, included his desire to help students staying involved in the school system as he pursues his own educational goals and growing up in the town.

            Muse pointed to his 12 years on the School Committee, the importance of parental involvement and the struggles teachers face teaching within prescribed frameworks.

            McArdle-Leclair said parents are concerned with grades, especially since COVID-19. She said, as her own children move on to college, she wants to stay involved with the school system.

            The other contested race is for the Board of Assessors with Alan Apperson challenging incumbent Leonard Coppola for one open seat. Neither candidate appeared on May 1.

            Uncontested races in Mattapoisett are: Trustees of the Public Library, two seats with William Osier and Elizabeth Sylvia both seeking re-election Lizanne Capper Campbell for town moderator, Albert Mennino Jr. for re-election to the Water/Sewer Commission, Garrett Bauer for Highway Surveyor, Thomas Tucker for re-election to the Planning Board, Charles McCullough for re-election to the Mattapoisett Housing Authority and James Pierson and Susan Wilbur for two seats for re-election to the Community Preservation Committee.

            The Mattapoisett Town Election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, at Old Hammondtown Elementary School.

Mattapoisett Voters Hear from Candidates

League of Women Voters South Coast